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District Court Chief Judge Linda Bell issued and Administrative Order today that alters court procedures effective immediately to protect the community during COVID-19 pandemic. STMFP-RJC-120031317290
On March 12, 2020, Governor Steve Sisolak declared a state of emergency in Nevada in response to the recent outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). Given the severity of the risk posed to the public by COVID-19, and after consultation with the Nevada Supreme Court Chief Justice Kristina Pickering, the Chief Judge of the District Court has determined that alterations to court procedure are necessary for the protection of the community.
District Court will continue to accept filings and continue to operate managing cases within the parameters of the order.
All currently scheduled non-essential District Court hearings are ordered to be conducted by video or telephonic means; decided on the papers; or rescheduled unless otherwise directed by a District Court judge. A call center at 702-455-4472 is taking calls to assist with rescheduling court appearance, arranging for appearance by alternative means or provide other information based on the circumstances of the appearance.
Essential case types and hearings will continue to be heard through in-person appearances, although appearance by alternative means under Nevada Supreme Court Rule Part IX is encouraged when possible.
Essential case types and hearings include the following:
- In-custody criminal sentencings, bail motions, and probation revocation hearings until arrangements can be made to hear these matters by alternative means;
- Criminal arraignments;
- Civil commitment cases;
- Guardianship matters except for compliance related hearings which include annual accountings. Given the vulnerability of the guardianship populations, all protected persons shall appear by alternative means;
- Domestic temporary or extended protection orders;
- Juvenile delinquency matters;
- Abuse and neglect preliminary protective hearings;
- High-risk protective orders;
- Civil temporary restraining orders and preliminary/permanent injunctive relief hearings.
- Probate petitions for orders of cremation.
- Other than jury trials, case-by-case exceptions may be ordered at the discretion of a District Court Judge.
All jury trials, civil and criminal, scheduled in District Court for the next 30 days will be suspended and will be rescheduled as the court calendar allows. No summonsed prospective jurors are to appear. Any currently ongoing jury trial will finish.
The order shall operate to stay trial in civil cases for purposes of NRCP 41(e). The time period of any continuance entered as a result of this order shall be excluded under for purposes of calculating speedy trial under NRS 178.556(1) and NRS 174.511 as the Court finds the that ends of justice served by taking that action outweigh the interests of the parties and the public in a speedy trial. Absent further order of the Court or any individual judge, the period of exclusion shall be from March 16, 2020 through
April 17, 2020.The Court may extend the period of exclusion as circumstances warrant.
Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control has advised people to take precautions and that the best way to prevent illness is to avoid exposure. As a result, District Court Administration is ordered to post a notice at the entrance of all district court facilities advising the following people that they may not enter the court facility:
- Persons who in the last 14 days have traveled to a country designated as a Level 3 travel health notice according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Currently those countries include: China, Iran, South Korea, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City. The list is subject to change by the CDC.
- Persons who reside or have close contact with someone who has traveled to any foreign country within the last 14 days;
- Persons who have been asked to self-quarantine by any doctor, hospital, or health agency;
- Persons who have been diagnosed with coronavirus or who has had contact in the past 14 days with anyone who has been diagnosed with CoVID-19; or
- Persons with unexplained fever, cough or shortness of breath.
Anyone attempting to enter in violation of these protocols will be denied entry by District Court Marshals.
District Court Administration is also ordered to establish a customer service number in cooperation with the Las Vegas Municipal Court and Las Vegas Justice Court to assist all persons unable to enter the court facility because of exposure or illness.
This order issued by the chief judge shall be reviewed no later than every 30 days and shall continue until modified or rescinded by a subsequent order. STMFP-RJC-120031317290
The Nevada Eighth Judicial District Court judges and staff will be doing everything possible to continue to serve the community in a safe and judicious manner. For updates and more information about the District Court response, please visit our website at clark-countycourts.us, Facebook at Clark County Courts, Twitter at NV8thJDCourt or M Price@LasVegasCourts and blog at https://eighthjdcourt.wordpress.com.
Link to request remote appearance online http://www.clarkcountycourts.us/virtual/
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